Non-Contact Touch Panel with Switchable Light Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch panels pose hygiene risks due to direct contact with fingers, and existing non-contact solutions require replacing existing systems or risking accidental contact with the display panel during operation.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact touch panel design featuring a sensor module with a non-contact sensor array, a control unit, and a light shielding panel that can switch between blocking and transmitting light, allowing for operation without direct contact by using a light shielding panel to manage infrared light blocking, enabling detection without physical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional touch panel is used, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but contact infection risk increases due to direct finger contact
Solution Approach 1:
A light shielding panel is introduced as an intermediary between the user's finger and the touch panel display. When a finger approaches, the light shielding panel moves to block light from reaching the touch sensor, preventing direct contact while still enabling touch detection through optical interruption. This mediator allows non-contact operation, eliminating infection risk while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical contact-based touch detection with an optical detection system. Instead of requiring physical finger contact with the touch panel, the system uses light emission and detection to sense finger proximity and gesture movements, substituting mechanical interaction with optical field interaction to prevent contact transmission.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-contact sensor array is added to existing systems, then hygiene is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light shielding panel serves multiple functions: it acts as a light barrier for optical detection, a positional indicator for touch location, and an interface element that guides user interaction. By making this single component multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate complex non-contact sensor arrays, thereby improving hygiene while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light shielding function with the touch detection function into a single integrated system. The light shielding panel is controlled by the same control unit that manages the light emitting unit, and both work together to detect finger proximity and gestures. This merging eliminates the need for separate non-contact sensor arrays, reducing overall system complexity while achieving non-contact operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a light shielding panel is used for non-contact operation, then hygiene is enhanced, but the risk of accidental contact with the display panel remains
Solution Approach 1:
The light shielding panel moves in advance to block light before the finger can make contact with the display panel. By detecting finger proximity through optical changes and preemptively positioning the light shielding panel, the system prevents accidental contact from occurring, not just responds to it. This preliminary action enhances reliability by eliminating the possibility of unintended direct contact.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If existing systems are replaced to achieve non-contact operation, then hygiene is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light shielding panel is designed to be movable rather than static, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on detected finger proximity. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain a compact form factor while providing effective light blocking when needed. The movable design allows integration into existing touch panel structures without requiring complete system replacement, easing manufacturing and installation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for easy integration into existing systems, reducing the risk of contact infections and enabling operation by bringing a finger close to the sensor array without touching the panel, thus enhancing hygiene and maintaining system compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting unit (203) arranged on the substrate, and a light receiving unit (205) arranged on the substrate and facing the light emitting unit (203)
Implementation Method 2
a light shielding panel overlapping the non-contact sensor array, the light shielding panel configured to be driven based on the drive signal. The light shielding panel is switchable between blocking and transmitting light traveling in a direction parallel to a main surface of the non-contact sensor array
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor module comprises a non-contact sensor array having a plurality of sensors, a control unit configured to receive a detection signal output from the non-contact sensor array and to generate coordinate information based on the detection signal, a drive unit configured to receive the coordinate information from the control unit and to output a drive signal based on the coordinate information, and a light shielding panel overlapping the non-contact sensor array, the light shielding panel configured to be driven based on the drive signal, wherein the light shielding panel is switchable between blocking and transmitting light traveling in a direction parallel to a main surface of the non-contact sensor array.